Paris is always full of fun things to do with kids, and December is no different! The month of December brings chilly days, occasional rain, and sometimes even a sprinkling of snow, but don’t let the weather stop you—there’s still so much to enjoy. This time of year, the city offers a wonderful mix of year-round kid-friendly activities, like exploring interactive museums and indoor play spaces, alongside all the festive holiday events that make December special. Think dazzling Christmas lights, magical markets, ice skating rinks, and cozy cafés to warm up in after a day out. Whether you’re planning for indoor fun or soaking in the city’s holiday spirit, there’s no shortage of ways to make the season unforgettable for your family. Let’s dive in!
- 1. Wander through Paris's Christmas markets
- 2. Glide on ice at Paris's iconic skating rinks
- 3. Admire the Christmas shop window displays and festive illuminations
- 4. Check out family-friendly festive events
- 5. Visit museums with kid-friendly exhibits
- 6. Warm up with hot chocolate
- 7. Take a winter day trip from Paris
1. Wander through Paris’s Christmas markets
Parisian Christmas markets are perfect for families, often featuring carousels, ice skating rinks, and holiday-themed workshops where kids can make crafts or decorate treats. While admission is free, rides and attractions require separate tickets. Here are some of the Christmas markets open in Paris for the holidays this December which I recommend to visit with kids:
- La Villette Christmas Market: Running from November 23 to December 29, 2024, this market features a festive village with Santa’s Chalet, a ski simulator, a skating rink, a climbing wall, and other festive highlights. It’s the very first Christmas market at this Paris location, so I am excited to see what they have to offer this year. Nearby in La Villette, you’ll find the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, one of the Best Museums in Paris for Kids. Consider pairing your visit to the Christmas market with a trip to this museum.
- Tuileries Christmas Market: Running from 16 November 2024, to 1 January 2025, this is a family-friendly Christmas market set within the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries. It features a Ferris wheel, an outdoor ice rink for children, bumper cars, and a giant slide. For a dose of history and culture, pair your trip to the market with a visit to the Louvre Museum or the Musée de l’Orangerie, both just a short walk away from the Christmas market.
- Notre-Dame Christmas Market: Running from 29 November until 25 December, 2024, this one is especially exciting this year, with the Cathedral reopening in early December. It’s smaller than the rest but has a festive setting with exceptional views of Notre-Dame. The focus will be on local artisans and creators, ensuring a selection of high-quality, handmade products.
Tip: Visit markets earlier in the day to avoid crowds, and bundle up to stay warm.
2. Glide on ice at Paris’s iconic skating rinks
Gliding across the ice in Paris during December is always fun. This year, there are two ice rinks I recommend checking out:
- Grand Palais Ice Rink: After a five-year hiatus, this massive indoor rink returns from 14 December 2024, to 8 January 2025, beneath the stunning glass dome of the Grand Palais. The Grand Palais des Glaces offers 2,700m² of skating space, set to lively music and even DJ sets. With a dedicated area for children, this long-awaited event promises a magical winter experience for skaters of all ages. Tickets cost €25-30 for adults and €15-18 for children. Buy your tickets here.
- Tuileries Gardens Ice Rink: This smaller rink is perfect for younger kids and is part of the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, running from 16 November 2024, to 1 January 2025. Located just across from the Louvre, it offers plenty of fun activities and rides for children.
Tip: Book your time-slot tickets for the Grand Palais in advance. The ice rink at Tuileries Garden doesn’t require pre-booking.
3. Admire the Christmas shop window displays and festive illuminations
Paris truly sparkles during the holiday season, with streets adorned in dazzling light displays. December’s early sunsets let kids enjoy festive lights before dinner, creating a perfect family outing without late nights. A stroll along the Champs-Élysées reveals trees adorned with sparkling lights, while Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Place Vendôme showcase elegant decorations.
Don’t miss visiting Parisian department stores, which each year transform their windows into animated Christmas scenes. Here are two stores that I think have the best decorations this year, both just 5 mins walk from each other.
- Printemps Haussmann: Step aboard the Printemps Express, where passengers dressed in eco-conscious clothing made from recycled fabrics feature in the Christmas window displays.
- Galeries Lafayette Haussmann: Admire the store’s magnificent Christmas tree, the annual centrepiece, viewable up close from a glass walkway. Outside, the Christmas window displays celebrate the store’s 130th Christmas, making this year’s decorations especially meaningful. Swiss designer Kevin Germanier created upcycled costumes for the window display characters, blending responsible fashion with holiday magic.
Tip: The department store Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is hosting a FAO Schwarz (a US toy brand) pop-up event so head to the 5th floor to explore a world of toys.
4. Check out family-friendly festive events
You’ll find many festive shows and performances in December to discover with kids in Paris. Here is a selection of some family-friendly events that I’ll be taking my kids to this month:
Lantern Festival: The Dinosaur Ball at Jardin d’Acclimatation
This December, the Jardin d’Acclimatation is organising the Lantern Festival: The Dinosaur Ball at Jardin d’Acclimatation. The 6-hectare Christmas walk with 2,000 lanterns and illuminated displays is all about dinosaurs. Explore 40 Mesozoic-era dinosaur species, including tyrannosaurs and triceratops, along a spectacular 24-stage illuminated route. Tickets costs €18 for adults, €12 for children (aged 4-11), free for those under the age of 4.
Jurassic Illuminated at Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes offers year-round fun, transforming during Christmas into a magical night time experience with beautiful light displays. Each year features a new theme, and this year, it’s all about Dinosaurs – Jurassic Illuminated at Jardin des Plantes. Stroll through illuminated gardens where monumental sculptures and paleoenvironments bring dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and early birds to life. Tickets cost €18 for adults, €15 for children (aged 3-12), free for those under the age of 3.
Lumières en Seine
Lumières en Seine is returning this year to the Domain National de Saint-Cloud with another journey of sound and light through a night time walk. Technically, it is not in Paris; Domain National de Saint-Cloud is just west on the river Seine’s banks. However, it’s within easy reach by metro. This is a more than 2km night walk with magical light installations and glowing sculptures, which will take between 1hr and 1hr 30mins to view. Tickets cost €23 for adults, €18 for children (aged 3-11), free for those under the age of 3.
Tip: Book your tickets in advance for all of these events and dress warmly!
5. Visit museums with kid-friendly exhibits
There are plenty of kid-friendly museums to visit in Paris this December, perfect for indoor activities on chilly days. Click here to explore my selection of the best Paris museums for kids. Below are some of the temporary exhibitions in Paris this month that would appeal to kids of various ages.
Egyptian Pharaohs at the Atelier des Lumières
Running until 5 January, 2025, this immersive exhibition takes you deep into ancient Egypt. The Atelier des Lumières transforms its space with 140 projectors and sound, creating dynamic images on floors, ceilings, and walls. Visitors are surrounded by vivid depictions of daily life along the Nile, the grandeur of pyramids, and temples. It’s a 360-degree journey through three millennia of history. Tickets cost €17 for adults, €10 for children (aged 3-11), free for those under the age of 3. Buy tickets here.
Astérix: Le Voyage Immersif at the Atelier des Lumières
Running until 5 January, 2025, this exhibition dives into the world of Astérix and Obélix. Marking 65 years of the iconic comic, this exhibition uses immersive projections to immerse visitors in the characters’ adventures. Tickets cost €17 for adults, €10 for children (aged 3-11), free for those under the age of 3. Buy tickets here.
Bruno Liljefors at Petit Palais
Running until 16 February 2025, this exhibition explores the captivating wildlife art of Swedish artist Bruno Liljefors (1860-1939). His works beautifully capture animals in their natural habitats. The Petit Palais offers guided family tours suitable for kids aged 7 and up, making it an educational outing for young art lovers. Tickets cost €12 for adults and free for children under the age of 18. Buy tickets here.
Workshops at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie
This science museum offers a range of interactive exhibitions and workshops that are both fun and educational. One temporary exhibition currently on is called “Dance”, which encourages children to explore movement and rhythm through engaging setups. Another is “Metamorphoses,” delving into the fascinating transformations within the animal and plant kingdoms. Additionally, the permanent exhibitions “Space Mission” and “Climate Emergency” provide insights into space exploration and environmental challenges. Tickets cost €13 for adults, €10 for those under the age of 25, and free for children under the age of 2. Buy tickets here.
Stephen Jones Exhibition at the Palais Galliera
For fashion-forward teens, this exhibition showcases over 170 extravagant hats by British milliner Stephen Jones. Expect colourful designs with feathers, pearls, and more. The museum also offers hands-on workshops where children can create their own hat sketches and designs. Tickets cost €12 for adults, free for those under the age of 18. Buy tickets here.
6. Warm up with hot chocolate
After hours of exploring, warming up in a cozy café is a must. Here are my recommendations for the best places to enjoy high-quality hot chocolate in Paris this December:
- Angelina: Located at 226 Rue de Rivoli, across from the Tuileries Garden, Angelina is a Parisian icon since 1903. Its Belle Époque decor, with chandeliers and mirrored walls, exudes timeless elegance. Known for “L’Africain” hot chocolate—rich, thick, and velvety—it’s a must-try, often paired with fresh whipped cream. A favourite spot for both locals and tourists.
- Carette: My favourite branch is at 25 Place des Vosges in the Marais district. With its Art Deco interior and picturesque location in Paris’s oldest planned square, it’s perfect for a break. The hot chocolate, served with a bowl of chantilly cream, is rich and indulgent. Established in 1927, Carette also has nice pastries and light meals, making it a popular spot for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.
- Jacques Genin: Situated at 133 Rue de Turenne, Jacques Genin is a haven for chocolate lovers and one of France’s top chocolatiers. The sleek, minimalist shop doubles as a tea salon, where you can enjoy perfectly crafted hot chocolate made from premium cocoa beans. Don’t leave without picking up some of Genin’s famous caramels to take home with you.
7. Take a winter day trip from Paris
Want to escape Paris for a day? December is the perfect time for festive family day trips.
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Located about an hour from Paris, Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte transforms into a winter wonderland each December. The 17th-century masterpiece, often credited as the inspiration for Versailles, is adorned with elaborate holiday decorations, twinkling lights, and grand Christmas trees in every room. The themed decor changes yearly, creating a fresh, magical experience each time. Outside, families can enjoy an ice-skating rink set against the château’s picturesque backdrop. The château is typically less crowded than Versailles at any time of the year.
Disneyland Paris
Just 35 minutes from central Paris by train, Disneyland Paris is the most famous theme park in France and it becomes a wonderland of holiday cheer in December. Festive parades feature beloved characters dressed in their holiday best, and the dazzling night time show lights up the sky. Special dining experiences, including Christmas-themed treats and meals, add to the magic. December’s cooler temperatures and smaller crowds (on non-holiday weekdays) make this a particularly enjoyable time to visit with kids.
Strasbourg
Known as the “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg is doable as a day trip from Paris. Located a two-hour train ride from Paris via TGV, this Alsatian city hosts one of Europe’s oldest and largest Christmas markets. The city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is decked out with fairy lights and ornaments, creating a storybook atmosphere. Families can stroll through the market stalls to discover artisanal gifts, regional delicacies, and mulled cider (or hot chocolate for the kids). The breath taking Gothic cathedral serves as a backdrop to many festivities, including carol concerts and holiday performances.
Have you done any of these activities? Share your favourite places and activities to discover in Paris this December in the comments below!
Check out my Paris Itineraries with Kids for ideas on what to do and see in Paris with kids and join me on Instagram to follow for more.
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